Attractions (in subcategory: Historic Downtowns)

Explore tradition at Conejos Plaza, the original plaza of the historic community of Conejos, Colorado. The most prominent structure on the plaza is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the oldest parish (designated 1859) in the state of Colorado. The site also houses the Conejos County Courthouse, which was built in 1981, replacing an earlier structure that burned. Many of the other structures around the plaza date back to the earliest settlers of the area. Once a thriving community, many businesses relocated to nearby Antonito when the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad established that town in 1880.

The historic mining town of Bonanza is the quintessential "place at the end of the road." Nestled 14 miles up a dirt road at the end of Kerber Creek Valley, at 9500 feet elev. in the Rio Grande National Forest, the few remaining residents of Bonanza don't see many visitors most of the year. During the summer and fall, you can take the pleasant drive up to poke around the ruins of 80 named mines. There is an interpretive marker for the Kerber Creek Mining District at the corner of 1st and Main Streets.

Take in the unique native stone architecture of Monte Vista's Downtown Historic District, designated on the National Register of Historic Places, and explore some of the town's cultural gems. A walking tour brochure is available to guide your visit. The district encompasses eleven structures along First Street (US Hwy. 160), which are built of locally quarried lava stone (rhyolite) or locally kilned brick. Two museums and eight additionally designated historic structures on Adams and Jefferson Streets and on First Avenue highlight the local culture. Monte Vista is home to the Ski-Hi Stampede, Colorado's oldest pro-rodeo (est. 1818).

Experience the history and culture of the Valley through the eyes of an artist. Antonito's many prominent and colorful murals tell the stories of the settlement of the San Luis Valley and express the local artistic spirit. The town of Antonito was founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad as the junction point for the "Chili Line" (the railroad branch to Santa Fe, New Mexico) and the San Juan Extension from Alamosa to Durango and Silverton. The original depot and several downtown structures such as the stone Palace Hotel mirror the original character of the town as a busy trade center.

Experience the hometown feel of this historic downtown and its diverse architecture on a self-guided walking tour that begins with narrow gauge locomotive No. 169 in Cole Park. Pick up a color brochure at the nearby Chamber of Commerce. The tour includes 25 historic sites, several designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Architectural delights include a Mission Revival style church and WPA County Courthouse. Art Deco tile and influences are visible along Main Street, and early 20th-century commercial brick buildings are a testament to the railroad heritage of Alamosa and its once prolific brickyards.

Visit historic downtown Saguache to experience a quiet town that has changed little over the years. The late 1890s and early 1900s brought prosperity to Saguache through its support of the mining camps in the surrounding mountains. Fortunes declined when the railroad bypassed the town. Several town buildings are listed on the State Register of Historic Places. A pamphlet that guides you on a nostalgic walking tour of the old downtown describes the buildings of the once thriving Saguache. Their histories will come alive for you.

Originally a Hispano settlement, La Garita today is a loose collection of houses set around its historic church, the Capilla de San Juan Bautiste. The only remaining business in town is the La Garita Trading Post. Near Penitente Canyon, the world famous climbing destination, the store is the last supply stop for climbers and campers going into the canyon. Rumor has it that the burgers there are worth the 6-mile drive from US Hwy 285. The town celebrates its heritage in late July with its annual La Garita Days.

Experience the history and charm of the western mining town of Creede--the late 19th-century architecture and stunning natural setting make for an unforgettable visit to the west end of the San Luis Valley. Set between the surrounding cliffs of Willow Creek Canyon once romanticized as "Devil's Gate" by local 19th-century poet Harriet Wason, today downtown Creede is home to an exceptional selection of shops, art galleries, and eateries, as well as the nationally acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre. Pick up the self-guided walking tour booklet at the Creede Historic Museum or in downtown stores to get the back-story on Creede's many fabulous structures.

Solitude, simplicity, silence and stunning mountain views are just a few of the reasons people choose to live in the quiet town of Villa Grove. At the northern entrance of the San Luis Valley, fourteen miles south of Poncha Pass, and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo, Sawatch and San Juan ranges, it's difficult to tell the difference between a picture of today's Villa Grove and the Villa Grove of 1890. Since 1871 the Villa Grove Trade has been a supply outlet at the center of town life, and its false front architecture stands out among the other town buildings.

One of Colorado's oldest hotels, the Windsor occupies nearly one half of a city block in the heart of Del Norte. Its construction started soon after the town was founded in 1871. The Windsor became the main social and commercial center of the area and remained a regional gathering spot for over a hundred years. The Windsor was literally saved from demolition at the last minute by a local benefactor in 1993. Over the past 14 years several phases of stabilization have been successfully completed: a "turn-of-the-century" parlor, dining rooms, and a living history interpretive area are nearly ready for occupancy.